Structural terminus implemented to inhibit explosive effect

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a structural terminus for inhibiting explosive effect which includes a flat panel element delimited on one hand by two first hollow profiles frame elements running parallel to one another and whose anchoring ends are anchored on a structure part opposite to one another in relation to a structure opening to be closed using an assigned coupling element and which each extend continuously between anchoring points, and on the other hand by two second hollow profile frame elements running transversely to the first frame elements such that the second frame elements being placed between anchoring ends and butt connectors inserted in the butt ends being connected to an external lateral face of the first frame element, each of the first frame elements has a continuous reinforcement profile connected to the assigned coupling element in their interior, and the butt connectors are connected to the reinforcement profile and/or to the coupling elements.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C §119 of German Utility Model 20 2007 005 640.0 filed on Apr. 17, 2007 and of German Utility Model 20 2007 004 060.1 filed on Mar. 15, 2007, the disclosures of which are incorporated hereby by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a structural terminus and in particular to a structural terminus implemented to inhibit explosive effects.

In the meaning of the present application, a structural terminus is a planar terminus element, which is implemented as openable or permanently closed and may be provided with a transparent or opaque panel. Structural termini of this type are generally known as so-called post-and-beam façades, whose vertical frame elements (“posts”) and horizontal frame elements (“beams”) form fields, in which and/or in front of which the panel elements are situated. Post-and-beam façades may be constructed in such a manner that their posts extend as the first frame elements between two opposite anchoring points, and their beams are placed as the second frame elements between each two first frame elements. In contrast, however, the beams may also be implemented as the first frame elements and the posts may be implemented as the second frame elements.

Both the connection of the second frame elements to the first frame elements and also the anchoring points of the façade on the structure part represent significant weak points in regard to an inhibition of explosive effect. In many cases, the panel elements are also not implemented in such a manner that they may withstand a pressure strain caused by an explosion.

It would therefore be desirable and advantageous to provide an improved structural terminus to obviate prior art shortcomings and to provide a refined terminus which is distinguished by a high inhibition of an explosive effect and if needed also by an inhibition of gunshot penetration and/or break-in.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention the structural terminus implemented to inhibit explosive effect includes at least one flat panel element delimited by two hollow profile first frame elements extending parallel to one another, and by two hollow profile second frame elements running transversely to the first frame elements, wherein the first frame elements are each anchored with an anchoring end to a structural part by means of an assigned coupling element at anchoring points opposite each other relative to the flat panel element, and the second frame elements are each placed between the anchoring ends of the first frame elements, and wherein each of the second frame elements forms a butt end with butt connecters inserted in the but ends and connected to an external lateral face of the first frame element; wherein each of the first frame elements has a continuous reinforcement profile in its interior and connected to the assigned coupling element, and the butt connectors are connected to at least one of, the reinforcement profile and the coupling elements.

According to further aspects of the invention, the first frame elements each have a continuous reinforcement profile connected to the assigned coupling elements in their interior and the butt connectors be connected to the reinforcement profile and/or to the coupling elements.

The first frame elements usually have a relatively great length, so that positioning the reinforcement profile in their interior cavity initially causes an enormous increase of the stability of these components per se. The reinforcement profiles absorb, inter alia, the loads from the wind strain, these being able to be pressure and/or suction strains, for example. While the frame elements are accordingly only used as a retainer of the panel elements, the reinforcement profiles are used for the load dissipation and are therefore connected directly to the structure part.

Accordingly, in another aspect of the invention, a significantly more stable attachment of the reinforcement profile, which typically comprises steel, to the structure part is possible than is the case with the frame elements, which typically comprise light metal or plastic. The additional connection of the butt connector to the reinforcement profile and/or to the coupling element is also distinguished by high rigidity and high stability.

To achieve a connection between the reinforcement profile and the coupling element having a simple construction, according to one embodiment of the invention, the reinforcement profile has free end sections extending beyond the front sides of the first frame element on both ends.

The coupling elements are advantageously anchored so they are displaceable on the structure part perpendicularly to a plane defined by the structure terminus. In contrast to the rigid connection of the frame elements to the coupling element, in this manner, in case of an explosion occurring on the exterior side of the structure, a displacement of the structure terminus which dissipates energy may occur and damage thereto is counteracted.

The coupling element advantageously has a stop, using which its displacement on the anchoring point may be delimited. The displacement occurring in case of an explosion thus runs in a controlled manner and occurs within the limits predefined by the construction, i.e., the displacement begins originating from a starting position which corresponds to the position in the mounted state of the structure terminus and reaches the position which is predefined by the stop upon maximal deflection.

An especially preferred manner of anchoring the coupling element so it is displaceable on a structure part is achieved in that the coupling element has oblong holes which are penetrated by anchors countersunk in the structure part, the anchors having a head or underlay disc which is larger than the width of the oblong hole.

According to an advantageous refinement of the invention, the reinforcement profiles are provided on both ends with a welded closure plate, in which at least one threaded hole is located, into which a screw penetrating the coupling element is screwed. On one hand a stable type of the connection is thus produced and on the other hand the mounting of the structural terminus is simplified.

Furthermore, in one embodiment of the invention, the coupling element has a plate screwed to a front-side end of the reinforcement profile, which is screwed onto a structure part in oblong holes, and is provided with a stop leg running perpendicularly thereto, which supports itself on a visible side of the structure via an elastically or plastically deformable intermediate layer. The intermediate layer ensures a tight attachment to the structure part both in the starting position and also in the deflected position of the structural terminus. If intermediate layer comprises an elastic material, it acts as a spring and presses the structure terminus back into its starting position after equalization of the pressure increase.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the stop leg is formed by a L-profile, the L-profile and the plate being connected to the reinforcement profile using a shared screw.

The structural terminus may be implemented according to the invention in such a manner that each two L-shaped butt joints jointly form a T-joint or a cross joint, and the joints of the butt joints run parallel to an outside edge of a frame element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent upon reading the following description of currently preferred exemplified embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an external view of the structural terminus according to the invention;

FIG. 1 a shows an external view of a base element of an alternative structural terminus;

FIG. 2 shows an external view of a bracket on an anchoring point in the corner area of a post-and-beam façade;

FIG. 3 shows an internal view of the bracket from FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a vertical section through the bracket from FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows a horizontal section through the bracket from FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 shows an external view of a bracket on an anchoring point in the middle area of a post-and-beam façade;

FIG. 7 shows an internal view of the bracket from FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows a vertical section through the bracket from FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 shows a horizontal section through the bracket from FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 shows a horizontal section through an alternative bracket;

FIG. 11 shows a view of the alternative bracket from FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 shows a horizontal section through a further alternative bracket, and

FIG. 13 shows a view of the alternative bracket from FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Throughout all the Figures, same or corresponding elements are generally indicated by same reference numerals. These depicted embodiments are to be understood as illustrative of the invention and not as limiting in any way. It should also be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted.

Turning now to the drawing, and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a structural terminus 1, which is implemented as a post-and-beam façade to inhibit explosive effect. The structural terminus 1 has four posts running in the vertical direction as the first frame elements 2 and two beams running in the horizontal direction as the second frame elements 3, each made of aluminum, the first frame elements 2 each extending as continuous profiles between two anchoring points 5, 6 provided with brackets 4, on which they are anchored to a structure part 7 shown in FIG. 4. The anchoring points 5 are in the corner area and the anchoring points 6 are in the middle area of the post-and-beam façade. The second frame elements 3 are each inserted in the area of anchoring ends 5 of the first frame elements 2 between the latter and are connected using butt connectors 8, also shown in FIG. 2, on butt ends 9 of the second frame elements to the first frame elements 2. Panel elements 10 made of insulating glass 11 having external safety glass 12 shown in FIG. 4 are inserted into the fields formed by the first frame elements 2 and second frame elements 3.

FIG. 1 a shows a façade element 13 which may be used as a base element for a post-and-beam façade. The façade element 13 solely comprises two first frame elements 2 and two second frame elements 3, the first frame elements 2 again being implemented as posts between which the two second frame elements 3 (beams) are inserted. The façade element 13 shown in FIG. 1 a only has one panel element 10.

The anchoring points 5, 6 of the structural terminus 1 on the structure part 7 and the butt ends 9 of the second frame elements 3 are described in greater detail in the following figures.

FIG. 2 shows an external view of a bracket 4 on an anchoring point 5 in the corner area of the post-and-beam façade from FIG. 1 as well as the butt ends 9 of the second frame element 3 located there. The first frame element 2, which is continuous in the vertical direction, has a hollow profile, in which a rectangular tube, which is also continuous, is positioned as a reinforcement profile 14. The reinforcement profile 14 projects upward above the front side 15 of the hollow profile and is provided on its end with a closure plate 17 welded in using fillet welds 16.

The second frame element 3 running in the horizontal direction, whose construction may be seen in FIG. 4, has an internal frame profile 18 running between the first frame elements 2, which is also implemented as a hollow profile. The internal frame profile 18 is inserted between the continuously running first frame elements 2 in such a manner that its upper edge 19 terminates flush with the front side 15 of the first frame element 2. The above-mentioned butt connector 8 made of aluminum is inserted into the open end of the internal frame profile 18 facing toward the first frame element 2 in such a manner that its base presses against the lateral surface of the first frame element 2. The screw 20 used for fastening the butt connector 8 to the first frame element 2 engages both in a hollow profile of the first frame element 2 and also, as provided according to the invention, in the reinforcement profile 14, so that an especially stable butt connection of first frame element 2 and second frame element 3 is provided.

A coupling element 21 in the form of a steel plate is positioned on the reinforcement profile 14 projecting out of the hollow profile of the first element 2, which extends beyond the internal frame profile 18 up into the soffit of the structure part 7. The gap 23 located between the upper edge 19 of the second frame element 3 and the lower edge 22 of the steel plate is closed by a pressure-resistant lining 24. An L-profile 25 is situated on the coupling element 21, whose stop leg 26 pointing in the vertical direction is fastened using an anchor 27 to a structure part 7 located behind the plane of the drawing, a gap 29 provided with an intermediate layer 28 remaining between the vertical stop leg 26 of the L-profile 25 and the structure part 7—as shown in FIG. 4. The coupling element 21 and the L-profile 25 are welded to one another.

A screw 30 introduced from the top side of the L-profile 25 connects the L-profile 25 and the coupling element 21 to the closure plate 17 of the reinforcement profile 14 located underneath. A further screw 31, which is also introduced from the top side of the L-profile 25, connects the L-profile 25 and the coupling element 21 to the internal frame profile 18 and the butt connector 8 of the second frame element 3. In this manner, an extremely stable rigid connection of the above-mentioned elements is provided.

The further connection elements of the structural terminus 1 according to the invention are shown in FIG. 3, an internal view of the console 4 from FIG. 2. In addition to the screw 30 already shown in FIG. 2, the coupling element 21 is connected using two further countersunk screws 32 to the closure plate 17 of the reinforcement profile 14. The coupling element 21 is connected using a vertically running anchor 33 to the structure part 7, the coupling element 21 being provided with an oblong hole 34. In case of a pressure strain like an explosion on the building exterior side, the intermediate layer located in the gap 29 between the vertical stop leg 26 of the L-profile 25 and the structure part 7 is compressed and the elements of the façade are displaced perpendicularly to the plane defined by the structural terminus 1. Breaking of the panel elements 10 as a result of an explosion is thus counteracted.

The structural terminus 1 according to the invention is clear in particular upon observation of FIG. 4, which shows a vertical section through the bracket 4 in the area of the reinforcement profile 14 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The second frame element 3 running in the horizontal direction comprises the internal frame profile 18 located on the interior side of the structural terminus and an external frame profile 35, running at a distance and parallel thereto, rubber seals 36 being clipped into each of the frame profiles 18, 35, between which the panel elements 10 are retained. The frame profiles 18, 35 each have an insulating profile 38 in the gap area 37 between two adjacent panel elements 10 and/or on the front side adjacent to the panel element 10. The external and the internal frame profiles 18, 35 are each connected to one another by pin-shaped connection elements 39. In addition to the pin-shaped connection element 39, the screw 20 for the fastening of the butt connector 8 to the post-2 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is also shown in FIG. 4, which additionally connects the internal frame profile 18 of the second frame element 3 both to the hollow profile of the first frame element 2 and also to the reinforcement profile 14.

The first frame elements 2 and second frame elements 3 of the façade are placed in front of the structure part 7 in such a manner that the external frame profiles 35, the panel elements 10, and a majority of the internal frame profiles 18 as well as the first frame elements 2 project beyond the outside edge of the structure part 7, so that an offset between structure part 7 and façade results in the horizontal direction.

In the illustrated section of FIG. 4, the connection of the closure plate 17 to the coupling plate 21 and/or to the L-profile 25 is well recognizable. On the upper end of the reinforcement profile 14, which is stiffened by the closure plate 17, the coupling element 21 implemented as a steel plate is situated, this plate extending up into the soffit 40 of a structure opening. In the area facing toward the interior side of the structural terminus 1, the closure plate 17 of the reinforcement profile 14 is connected to the coupling element 21 by the two countersunk screws 32. In the area directed toward the outside area, the closure plate 17 is connected to the coupling element 21 and the L-profile 25 using the screw 30, so that overall a stable connection of the façade elements to the coupling element 21 and to the L-profile 25 is provided.

The L-profile 25 situated on the coupling element 21 has its short leg 41 welded to the coupling element 21. The long stop leg 26 of the L-profile 25 is fastened using anchors 27 to the structure part 7. A gap 29 is located between the long stop leg 26 and the outside edge of the structure part 7, which is closed using the intermediate layer 28. This layer may comprise cellular rubber and have a thickness of 20 mm, for example.

A slight gap 42 also remains between coupling element 21 and soffit 40, which is closed using a sealing compound 43. The coupling element 21 is fastened to the soffit 40 by the anchor 33, the coupling element 21 having an oblong hole 34 in the area of the anchor 33. The head 44 of the anchor 33 and the underlay disk 45 thereof have a greater width than the oblong hole 34.

The first frame elements 2 and second frame elements 3 are connected rigidly via the closure plate 17 to the coupling element 21 and the L-profile 25, this connection being implemented as extremely stable.

In contrast thereto, the connection of the coupling element 21 and the L-profile 25 to the structure part 7 is not implemented as a rigid connection. Rather, a relative displacement is possible between the coupling element 21—with the L-profile 25 connected thereto—and the structure part 7 in the horizontal direction by the distance by which the intermediate layer 28 comprising cellular rubber may be compressed. Such a relative displacement is caused by a pressure increase like an explosion in the outside area of the structural terminus 1, the intermediate layer 28 acting like a spring. After equalization of the pressure increase, the structural terminus is pushed back at least partially into its starting position by the restoring force of the intermediate layer 38.

On one hand the outside edge of the structure forms a stop for the displacement when the intermediate layer 28 is compressed and on the other hand the end of the oblong hole 34 facing toward the outside area of may be used as a stop for the relative displacement between coupling element 21 and structure part 7.

A horizontal section of the bracket 4 shown in FIGS. 2 through 4 is shown in FIG. 5, in which the connection of the coupling element 21 to the structure part 7 using anchors 33 guided in the oblong hole 34 is well recognizable. The oblong hole 34 extends in the horizontal direction and has a smaller width than the head 34 and the underlay disk 45 of the anchor 33. If an explosion occurs in the outside area A of the structure, which would result in an enormous pressure increase in the outside area A, the L-profile 25 is displaced with the coupling element 21 attached thereto in the direction of the inside area 1, the intermediate layer 28 being compressed like an elastically deformable spring or plastically to a fraction of its starting volume shown in the figure. The displacement has reached its maximum when the stop leg 26 of the L-profile 25 is supported on a structure part 7, the compressed intermediate layer 28 being located between them. It is to be ensured in the implementation of the oblong hole 34 that it permits a displacement by the maximum amount. Otherwise, the displacement of the coupling element 21 is obstructed by the end of the oblong hole 34, destruction of the coupling element 21 in the area of the oblong hole 34 being able to be caused by the forces arising in the event of an explosion.

FIG. 6 shows an external view of a bracket 4′ on an anchoring point 6 in the middle area of a post-and-beam façade from FIG. 1. Accordingly, the first frame element 2 is abutted on both sides by an internal frame profile 18 of the second frame elements 3 in each case, the connections between first frame element 2 and second frame element 3 as well as the coupling element 21 or L-profile 25 located above them not differing from the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 through 5. The L-profile 25 is fastened to the structure part 7 (not shown in the figure) using two anchors 27 because of its greater width.

An internal view of the bracket 4′ from FIG. 6 is shown in FIG. 7, which again solely differs from the internal view shown in FIG. 3 in that the first frame element 2 is abutted on both sides by an internal frame profile 18 of the second frame elements 3, and the L-profile 25 is connected to the structure part 7 by two anchors 33.

The vertical section shown in FIG. 8 through the bracket 4′ from FIGS. 6 and 7 is a section which is led in the area adjacent to the closure plate 17 of the reinforcement profile 14, so that the internal frame profile 18 is well recognizable in cross-section. Instead of the reinforcement profile 14 extending beyond the front side 15 of the hollow profile of the first frame element 2 from FIG. 6 and its attachment to the coupling element 21, the positioning of a pressure-resistant lining 24 between coupling element 21 and internal frame element 18 is recognizable in FIG. 8.

The horizontal section shown in FIG. 9 of the bracket 4′ from FIG. 6 again solely differs from the horizontal section shown in FIG. 5 in that the first frame element 2 has its reinforcement profile 14 abutted on both sides by a second frame element 3, the central axis 46 of the screw 20 simultaneously forming the axis of symmetry 47 of the configuration shown. The connection of the coupling element 21 to the structure part 7 using anchors 33 guided in the oblong holes 34 is also well recognizable in FIG. 9.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show an alternative bracket 4″ for connecting the first frame element 2 to the structure part 7, the bracket 4″ being implemented as U-shaped and enclosing one end of the post 2 like a shoe 48. The first frame element 2 and the reinforcement profile 14 running therein are connected to the shoe 48 using five screws 49, which are each screwed through an oblong hole 34 to a nut 50, in such a manner that a gap 52 remains between the base plate 51 of the bracket 4″ and the first frame element 2. The oblong holes 34 running perpendicularly to the structural terminus 1 allow, in case of a strain thereof by an explosive action, a displacement of the structural terminus 1 in which a damper 53—made of foam, for example—located in the gap 52 is compressed to a minimum of its volume. The base plate 51 of the bracket 4″ is connected to the structure part 7 using six screws 54, a seal 55 being situated between base plate 51 and structure part 7.

FIGS. 12 and 13 also show a bracket 4″ like a shoe 48, which is only connected using four screws 49 to the first frame element 2 and the reinforcement profile 14, however. In contrast to the bracket 4″ from FIGS. 10 and 11, no damper is positioned in the gap 52 between the bracket 4″ and the first frame element 2. Also, no seal is provided between the base plate 51 of the bracket 4″ and the structure part 7, which are connected to one another via four countersunk screws 56.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in connection with currently preferred embodiments shown and described in detail, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and practical application to thereby enable a person skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims and includes equivalents of the elements recited therein: 

1. A structural terminus implemented to inhibit explosive effect comprising: at least one flat panel element delimited by two hollow profile first frame elements extending parallel to one another, and by two hollow profile second frame elements running transversely to the first frame elements, wherein the first frame elements are each anchored with an anchoring end to a structural part by means of an assigned coupling element at anchoring points opposite each other relative to the flat panel element, and the second frame elements are each placed between the anchoring ends of the first frame elements, and wherein each of the second frame elements forms a butt end with butt connecters inserted in the but ends and connected to an external lateral face of the first frame element; wherein each of the first frame elements has a continuous reinforcement profile in its interior and connected to the assigned coupling element, and the butt connectors are connected to at least one of, the reinforcement profile and the coupling elements.
 2. The structural terminus according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement profile has free end sections extending beyond the front sides of the first frame element on both ends.
 3. The structural terminus according to claim 1, wherein each coupling element is anchored so it is displaceable on the structural part perpendicularly to a plane defined by the structural terminus.
 4. The structural terminus according to claim 1, wherein the coupling element has a stop, for delimiting a displacement motion of the coupling element on the anchoring point.
 5. The structural terminus according to claim 1, wherein the coupling element has oblong holes, which are penetrated by anchors countersunk in the structural part, the said anchors having a head or underlay disk, which is larger than the width of the oblong hole.
 6. The structural terminus according to one of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement profiles are provided at both ends with a welded closure plate, in which at least one threaded hole is located, into which a screw penetrating the coupling element is screwed.
 7. The structural terminus according to claim 5, wherein the coupling element has a plate screwed onto a front-side end of the reinforcement profile, which plate is screwed in oblong holes together with the structural part, and which coupling element is provided with a stop leg extending perpendicularly thereto and supported on a visible side of the structural part via an elastically or plastically deformable intermediate layer.
 8. The structural terminus according to claim 7, wherein the stop leg is formed by an L-profile, said L-profile and the plate being connected to the reinforcement profile by a shared screw.
 9. The structural terminus according to claim 1, wherein the butt connector is formed by two L-shaped butt joints jointly form a T-joint or a cross joint.
 10. The structural terminus according to claim 9, wherein the joints of the butt joints run parallel to an outside edge of one of the frame elements. 